Classic Mustangs (Tech) Technical discussions about the Mustangs of yester-year.

"key-on" voltage source

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-22-2008, 01:07 PM
  #1  
robert912004
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
robert912004's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 146
Default "key-on" voltage source

I am putting a tachometer in and i need a key-on voltage source. What would be the best way to hook it up? Would the BAT post of the starter relay work or do i need something else? Any info would be helpful

Thanks
Robert
robert912004 is offline  
Old 07-22-2008, 01:24 PM
  #2  
Stepman
4th Gear Member
 
Stepman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Az
Posts: 1,090
Default RE: "key-on" voltage source

Are you looking for an inside or outside source? The btt term of the relay will give you power all the time. Why not run off the "run" term of the ignition?
Stepman is offline  
Old 07-22-2008, 01:34 PM
  #3  
Gun Jam
Moderator
 
Gun Jam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Hills of California
Posts: 5,208
Default RE: "key-on" voltage source

T off of one the fuses on the fuse pannel.

Use a volt meter or test light to find out which ones are Key-on (I think they all are excpt 1)

-Gun
Gun Jam is offline  
Old 07-22-2008, 01:37 PM
  #4  
restomod66
3rd Gear Member
 
restomod66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: RI
Posts: 691
Default RE: "key-on" voltage source

Run a wire from the coil terminal. I believe positive side will work when key is on.
restomod66 is offline  
Old 07-22-2008, 01:42 PM
  #5  
robert912004
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
robert912004's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 146
Default RE: "key-on" voltage source

ok thanks for your help it is greatly appericated....
robert912004 is offline  
Old 07-22-2008, 01:59 PM
  #6  
65Coupester
2nd Gear Member
 
65Coupester's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Arizona
Posts: 300
Default RE: "key-on" voltage source

If you use the coil terminal you may not get 12 volts if there is a resistor in series with the coil.

I ran mine off the radio power wire, it has an extra socket for a bullit connector on the 65's.

65Coupester is offline  
Old 07-24-2008, 02:46 PM
  #7  
robert912004
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
 
robert912004's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 146
Default RE: "key-on" voltage source

What about the starter relay? which post will work for key-on voltage?
robert912004 is offline  
Old 07-24-2008, 06:00 PM
  #8  
silverblue66
2nd Gear Member
 
silverblue66's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ca
Posts: 318
Default RE: "key-on" voltage source

I just installed a warm air choke using the reverse light wire. it is a black and red wire. there are two one only is hot when in reverse the other is always hot when the key is on. check with a voltmeter. the nice thing about this wire is it only draws power away form something else when in reverse. and it is always 12 volts.
silverblue66 is offline  
Old 07-24-2008, 06:48 PM
  #9  
jay67fast
 
jay67fast's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 37
Default RE: "key-on" voltage source

Look on the back of the ignition switch. There is a center post on the switch, usually not used for anything. Test it-I think you'll find it's a 12 volt switched source. The only downside is that it's unfused, to be safe you should put a fuse in the line you have just tapped from the switchbefore it reaches your tach.I'm using it for my aftermarket gauges lights on my 67 F/B. it's been fine for more than one year.
Hope that helps,
Jay67fast
jay67fast is offline  
Old 07-24-2008, 08:32 PM
  #10  
1slow67
ROTM Moderator
 
1slow67's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 8,146
Default RE: "key-on" voltage source

ORIGINAL: robert912004

What about the starter relay? which post will work for key-on voltage?
There will be an "I" above the post that will work with key-on. The other post will have a "S"
1slow67 is offline  


Quick Reply: "key-on" voltage source



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:55 PM.